Major setback for Afghanistan ahead of T20 World Cup 2026; Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out due to THIS reason
(Courtesy : X/@ACBofficials)
Afghanistan are placed in Pool D of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Afghanistan’s preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have taken a significant hit with fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The 25-year-old pacer will miss the upcoming showpiece event as he may need to undergo surgery later.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is yet to announce a replacement for Naveen-ul-Haq. This leaves a crucial gap in the squad just weeks before the start of the global event.
In their reserves list for the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan had named mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, batter Ijaz Ahmadzai, and seamer Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi. It remains to be seen whether one of them will be promoted or a new name will be drafted into the squad.
Another blow in a stop-start phase for Naveen-ul-Haq
Naveen-ul-Haq last represented Afghanistan in December 2024. Since then, he has featured in franchise leagues such as the SA20 2025 and Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA but missed the Asia Cup 2025 due to a shoulder injury.
His most recent competitive outings came in the ILT20, where he played for MI Emirates. The exact nature of his current injury has not been disclosed, but it is understood to be serious enough and requires surgery.
Naveen’s absence is a massive blow to Afghanistan, particularly considering the conditions in India and Sri Lanka. Known for his slower balls, cutters, and yorkers, Naveen is exceptionally effective on subcontinental pitches that offer grip and variable bounce.
His ability to take pace off the ball and deceive batters at the death makes him one of Afghanistan’s most reliable bowlers in pressure situations.
Without Naveen, Afghanistan will lose a key death-overs specialist and an experienced campaigner who thrives in Asian conditions. This puts additional pressure on their young pace attack and spinners to step up against top-quality opposition.
Tough group awaits Afghanistan
Afghanistan are placed in Pool D alongside New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. They will begin their campaign against New Zealand on February 8 in Chennai.
In the build-up to the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan will face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series in the UAE. With Naveen now sidelined, Afghanistan will have to quickly reshuffle their bowling combination and identify a reliable replacement as they chase another memorable World Cup campaign.
Why was Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026?
Naveen has been ruled out due to an injury.
Have Afghanistan announced Naveen-ul-Haq’s replacement?
The Afghanistan Cricket Board is yet to announce a replacement.
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Vishwajit Sawant is a sports content writer with two years of experience who believes in writing that feels honest, simple, and easy to read. He enjoys breaking down sporting moments into stories readers can genuinely connect with, without relying on fancy vocabulary. His work spans cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, with a focus on match previews, reviews, and reports. Vishwajit believes good content doesn’t need to be loud — it just needs to leave a subtle impact.